To the Editor
(Re: “Creston and Canada don't need to welcome refugees”)
Michael Bunn’s letter made several questionable claims about refugees and their effects on Creston. He seems to have two areas of complaint: humanitarianism and economy/jobs. Contrary to the assertions of Mr. Bunn, we state the following:
Related to jobs and the economy:
Shopping online, out of town and out of country is what is leading to empty stores in small towns everywhere, including Creston.
Canada needs more young workers (not fewer) to contribute to taxes and pensions as our population is aging and our birth rate is falling. New immigrants are often happy to take any entry-level jobs, which Canadians are less willing to do.
Immigrants bring much needed skills to the Canadian workplace. Creston has three restaurants and other businesses run by immigrants from Asia. They support our town and hire local workers and new immigrants. Their presence boosts our economy.
Contrary to Mr. Bunn’s assertion, the majority of employees in fast food outlets, store clerks and realtors are not in their 70s.
Related to humanitarianism:
We must give humanitarian help to displaced people who are fleeing discrimination, violence, starvation and even death. All countries in the developed world do this. How can we not help?
Being compassionate is part of being a Canadian whether it is giving to our food bank or hospital or to other charities. Through paying our taxes, we redistribute money to fund local needy and to fund Canadian foreign aid to poorer countries. Every political party in Canada supports these efforts. Every developed country provides foreign aid to poor countries.
If a xenophobic attitude had been taken by the First Nations peoples on our ancestors’ arrival in North America, we could not have settled here, where they shared their knowledge of this land and helped our ancestors survive.
Sadly, when refugees are forced to leave the country they love and their relatives remain at home or settle in other countries all over the world, there is not much chance of ever seeing their families again.
Dave Budney and Beth Terriff
Creston Refugee Committee